14 August 2009

To make a long story short, we decided a couple of weeks ago to move to a new house and I've taken on a lot more responsibility at work. Between the two I'm waaaay too tired to blog of a night. But now we've found a new place (that's it above) and I' settling in at work, expect a return to the usual programming!

Also, it's less than a week until I go to Sydney. I'm super pumped to be helping out at the show, and since I've spent all my money getting a new house expect lots of inspiration pictures and no pictures of things that I've bought!

One last thing. The new house has a sun room, and it's going to be all mine! So we're starting the move on the 26th, so be expecting My Creative Space to get good and interesting after that. I have been making things too. I'll try to get some photos up in between the packing this weekend.

04 August 2009

Is a middle aged, potty mouthed, out of shape former chef. I really think that you should take the hour to watch this. I'm in love with Anthony Bourdain. And I think you should be too!

I loved how I am still able to learn things about Australia. My favourite from the episode include, seeing Anthony eating a sausage roll, Sydney Road, trams and the fact that it's all in Victoia! I hope you enjoy it.

30 July 2009

So, it seems that everyone is is cuckoo over my new labels. I know, they're pretty good right? I got them from this etsy store. I got 300 for what worked out to be around 40AUD. A bargain I thought. The service was really good too. You tell them what you want, they'll email you a draft for you to approve and then when that's all done they'll print them. You can also use any free font, this includes open source fonts I think. So there's lots of variety! And I'm pretty sure that if you choose some of the other options they can do pictures and everything. I didn't really look at them though.

And as for the pressing ham, I was going to do a tutorial maybe? But it was so easy that I felt silly. I'll just tell you. I asked my dressmaking teacher about them, because like a lot of you I'm sure I have the "why buy when you can make" philosophy. I pretty much just cut 2 pieces of fabric into a rough ham shape (let me know if you'd like me to post the template) and sewed them right sides together. With no real strong understanding, I figured that you would need to use stronger fabrics. So one side is calico, and the other is some nice sturdy linen from Amy.

To stuff it you can pretty much use anything that won't melt. The one in my class is stuffed with sand and saw dust, so it's super sturdy. For mine I bought a cot sized piece of natural fiber quilt wadding. Bamboo or cotton should do. Then I just cut it up into little chunks and stuffed in as many as I could. And I do mean that literally. It should be a struggle to sew up the gap because it needs to be as firm as possible!

I've been working on my dress making things this week. I made a pressing ham last Saturday to iron my darts and princess seams. And I also got this new whiz bang iron on Sunday on the way home from the fair. It's great! There's not even any wadding melted on it yet. And can I say, "Quilt basting spray, where have you been all my life?!". I got some on the cheap at the fair. And it's the best! I always screw up the basting, and have puckers and things. Now, can anyone teach me how to quilt well please?

29 July 2009

I know, I've been M.I.A. again. I've been way too busy at the real job to have any energy for blogging. I've still been crafting though! Sewing class is going good. And I have plenty of inspiration brewing from the fair.

22 July 2009

I've not been feeling too motivated this last week or so. I got my new car, so I've been spending a lot of time just driving nice places. And last week the light in my sewing room broke. And lamp light isn't really doing it for me. I haven't used the machine in a while. But I did go back to sewing class after a 3 week break last weekend. It was great! I'd missed it, and I'm pumped to get my dress done. I think that this weekend I'll finish my final calico dress and be ready to start with the good fabric. Fun!

And last weekend I had a go at making some knitting needle bracelets. They came up a treat!More creative spaces as always at Kootoyoo.

12 July 2009

I'm sure that you all know by now that Amy has started selling fabric over at Badskirt.These are the beauties that I picked up. She has a nice little selection of stuff that might be a little bit more rare in Australia, and very good prices! You should definitely go have a look.

In case you haven't seen it all over the internet yet, the Handmade Recipe book is available for pre-order! I'm sure that everyone knows what a great cause it is by now. And what great quality the recipes will be of course! I'm ordering mine now. Very exciting!

09 July 2009

I've been home sick these last 3 days. Nothing too major, just a yucky cold. But it's keeping me here at the moment! Since I'm so bad at being sick and resting, I've actually gotten a lot of sewing done. So that's good.

I've been actually looking at all of the patterns I've gotten at op shops, instead of just having them. This dress is the first thing I've made. I did it just off the pattern, no alterations and it fits great! What are the chances?! I think that I'll be making a lot more of these. Some knits maybe? And with a fuller skirt I think. I've also 90% finished a little shirt thing that kind of fits. As most other things, it's too big in the chest area. I'll have a go at altering that I think though.

02 July 2009

This week I started working on a scarf for my brothers birthday. It's looking good so far! But it's my first attempt at stripes, so I'll probably be asking everyone how to weave in the ends pretty soon. Also in the pictures, last week I got a roll of freezer paper! They just had it at my local sewing store. I've never seen that before. So I snatched it up with no real plans whatsoever! I thought I could give some away, so I'll choose a commenter on this post at random on Sunday and send you a metre or so. Cool?And I've been doing some little drawings, thinking of making a stamp to make letter sets or maybe address labels. Snail mail?

Put the dates in a pan with 1 3/4 cups of water. Bring to the boil and then remove fro the heat. Stir in the bi carb and spices and then set aside for 5 minutes. Meanwhile cream the butter and sugar. Then stir in the eggs one at a time, mixing well in between each addition. Fold in the flour and the date mixture until smooth. Pour into a well greased springform tin and cook for 1 hour at 180c.

To make butterscotch sauce combine 150g butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1/3 cup golden syrup and 3/4 cup cream in a pan and stir over a low heat until combined and thickened slightly.

Now, don't eat too much at once! It gave me a tummy ache this Saturday!

25 June 2009

I have some important birthdays coming up in the next few weeks. This is freestyle blanket thing that I'm making up. It a pieced top sewn onto a polar fleece back, then I'm quilting the two together. So kind of a cheater quilt? There's no binding at least! On the polar fleece back I had a go at machine applique for the first time with the blanket stitch on the new machine. Good right?

22 June 2009

My first attempt at paper piecing. And a puzzle ball which I just thought looked like fun. (It was!) To say that the soccer ball was biting off a little more than I could chew would be an understatement. For starters, who knew that a soccer ball was hexagons AND pentagons. I didn't so I tried to make it with all hexagons first. Also, a soccer ball has a lot of seams. That need to be hand sewn. Tough! But a good result in the end I think?

In unrelated news. There was a shetland pony grazing on a nature strip down the road from my Auntie's house on Sunday. Yes, I did pull over to take a photo. Cool though, right?

18 June 2009

Today we had a house inspection, which is always terrifying no matter if you're not doing anything wrong! But in between all of my frantic vacuuming I had a little bit of time to whip this up! It's the "Cute-as-a-button clutch" from the Mike's book. It's not just a clever name! It was super easy to make, which is nice and really like it. I think that I make some more for my friend in a few different fabrics.

Now to go and start the Obi and skirt/halter top. I think. Not sure what it is really. Maybe some googling is in order first.

16 June 2009

It's so much fun. I was a little bit aprehensive after that first class. Everything seemed to be a bit simple in terms of the sewing and things. I didn't really need to watch the teacher thread the sewing machine for 45 minutes. But honestly, it's getting better every week! Last Saturday I started on a new project. I've finished the skirt that we all had to make for our first thing. A simple pattern that my teacher Sue chose that wouldn't overwhelm us, and even though I think it's a bit ugly and I'll most likely never wear it. I'm still proud as punch of how it turned out, and I learnt how to take in skirts while I was making it. A skill that I used this past weekend. So there you go.

This is the dress that I'm making now. The yellow one with the pink sash. First I have to make it in calico, to make sure that the fit is perfect and then I can get started on the real thing. Any suggestions on what kind of fabric to use? I'm thinking a light weight tweed kind of thing. To make it very Jackie O. But I really have no idea, and fabric names mean absolutely nothing to me. What the heck is damask?! Hopefully I'll learn that one soon too!

15 June 2009

So, sorry for the continual suckage of Recipe Monday. I had a good excuse last week, it was my Birthday so I gave myself the day off. And then today. I made the awful discovery that my work has blocked blogger.com. So now I can't post, but I can't leave you guys comments either! Boo.

But anyway. I make my triumphant return with a very nice recipe. This one makes 16 cookies.

14 June 2009

Woohoo! I got the fabrics on the front ages ago. They were the first jelly roll type thing that I ever bought, so fun. I'm not really in love with the quilt itself, for in my house. But I really like it, and I decided that it'll make a great 30th Birthday present for my sister in law. It'll look great on their grey suede couch!

I also used my new sewing machine to take in a skit this morning. It went really well, and it fits good now. And I got the chance to use the "overcasting" foot on my sewing machine. Which does the same as an overlocker, but without the cutty bit.

Because you haven't seen Amity in a while!

Aaand. Today I went to Harris Scarfe and they had a Singer overlocker for $300, save $299. I was sorely tempted to at least layby it. But I decided to wait till they open their store at Knox City, just incase they have an even crazier sale! Fingers crossed!

11 June 2009

This is a stamp that someone actually ordered from me! Exciting right! I've also sold another one, but it hasn't arrived at it's new home. So I won't do the big reveal yet. But I'm super proud of it!

I also got a new camera today. An Olympus digital SLR. I'm planning on doing a little photo shoot tomorrow night to show off some of my presents and things that I've done with the new machine. And several other things!

10 June 2009

So, it's been a week since I posted last. It was nice to have a little break after the "every day in May" madness. But to be honest I was starting to have some withdrawal symptoms this last day or 2!

Just a quick post tonight. Then I'll be back tomorrow to post My Creative Space, and then I'll be sure to have Recipe Monday back again next week! Just thought I'd share some pictures from my Birthday Party.

Me with my new baby. She's an excellent one, I've already gotten lots of use out of her.

02 June 2009

- My birthday! And associated partying- Getting my new sewing machine. Soon, soon!- Is it too early to say Summer? I'm sick of cold hands- The cruise I'm going on at the end of this year !- The Stitches and Craft Show, take 2.- Meeting Amy, maybe. (As in I might be meeting her, not that I am maybe excited.)- Long weekend, made double good because of my Birthday. - Starting my new project at my dress making class. Cute dress, here I come!

8 Things I did yesterday:

- Brown Owls! Hoot!- Had dinner at a restaurant by myself. Love it.- Did a lot of things at work. Busy!- Made some nice progress on the jumper that never ends.- Emailed Fii about the Stitches and Craft Show in August.- Tried to draw some new things for some stamps. Did not go too well.- Met some nice Owl girls, and re met some and then actually learnt their names!- Bought a cute hanky off Pip to embroider with some Sublime Stitching

8 Things I wish I could do:

- Crochet well. This means Amigumuri!- Paint/draw.- Pattern drafting and clothing design.- Better cutting when I'm doing stuff for quilt tops. More symmetry!- Keep my house clean.- Hang things on the walls of my house, damn renting.- Write, as in well. Like journalist style. Just for leisure. But I'd still like to be better.- Get a good nights sleep!

8 Shows I watch:

- Fringe, my new favourite. In no small part because it has Pacey from Dawson's Creek in it. He's so dreamy!- Reaper. As mentioned previously.- 30 Rock. So hilarious!- Gossip Girl - Dawson's Creek (ashamed of these last 2, but not really)- Supernatural, just the right amount of scary and fun.- American Dad/Family Guy/South Park, I'm juvenile- It's always sunny in Philadelphia. This is a new one to me. It's so, so, so funny. I highly recommend it!

So, has everyone learnt something about me? Maily that I love watching T.V.

THE RULES:

Here's the rules, just in case you want to follow them:.1. Mention the name of the person who tagged you.2. Do the lists of 8.3. Tag 8 bloggers of your choice.4. Let them know that they have been tagged!

I don't really tag people that much. So if you're reading this. Consider yourself tagged! Let me know if you decide to play, so I can come and have a look-see.

Put the water and raisins into a large saucepan and bring to the boil. Stir in the butter and allow to cool slightly. When it is cooled, beat in the egg. Make sure to do it quickly or your egg will cook a little.

Sift in all of your dry ingredients and mix thoroughly until it is nice and smooth. Pour evenly into a greased pan and cook for 40 minutes.

Take out of the oven and allow it to cool completely, if you take it out of the pan too soon it will fall apart. I like to dust it with icing sugar too.

My suggestions for serving is with an afternoon tea, it goes perfectly with a cuppa! Or for something slightly more decadent, put one of the bars in the microwave for about 30 seconds and then put a big scoop of vanilla ice cream over the top! Yummy!

I really hope that someone in blogland will give this a try and see how delicious it is!

31 May 2009

Stamps! As you've probably seen. And I finished my first piece of clothing in my dressmaking class. I'll put up some photos tomorrow when my internet is regular speed.

Watching...

Lots of T.V. shows, while knitting in bed. It's been good knitting in bed weather. My current favourites are Dawson's Creek (I'm up to the last season on DVD. Sad!) and Fringe, which I only started watching today. It's really good!

Jess sent me an email this morning and told me that she was going to be helping out Fii on the weekend of the Sydney Stitches and Craft show. My immediate response to that was to call my boss, get the Friday off, go online and book plane tickets to go too. I get jealous ok? And, do you believe that I got my return trip for $88, for everything. Thankyou Tiger Airwys!

So, I am putting out an open call now. If you need help at your stall on the Friday, Saturday or Sunday let me know. I'd love to volunteer to be your helper! You can have just one day or all 3. Whatever. Or, if you know someone that doesn't read this blog, but is needing a helper just direct them here or give them my email or something. I'm eager!

Does anyone who lives in Sydney want to meet up on Friday or Saturday night too? For coffee or dinner or something? Let me know, I'm very excited!!

28 May 2009

Using my work room still. I haven't had much need for other creative spaces since I set that up. Other than the train obviously.

In this picture is some paper that I've been stamping to send out with my various parcels in the coming week. I think I have about 10? I like how the Amityville stamp looks. So everyone can expect a little note! Also pictured is some decorations for my birthday party which is not this Saturday, but the next. If you can't tell it's bunting! I'm very excited to hang it up. There's almost 9 metres. So it should look really good. And you'll be happy to know I'll be posting lots of pictures from my party. I have some good decorating ideas I think!

For more spaces head over to Kirst. She's getting around 50 every week now I think. Isn't she clever? For everyone that's come here today from over at Kootoyoo, make sure you come back over and play Recipe Monday okay? My Mr.Linky is so embarassed with himself next to Kirsty's.

One more thing. Do you know what's really annoying? Having to undo 150+ rows of knitting when you realise that you've been increasing on every 8th row, not every 6th and that's made one sleeve about 15cm longer than the other. D'oh!

27 May 2009

There's not much I hate more than cutting fat quarters. My cutting mat is just a little too small, so it's a whole show of folding an working out quarters. Not the simple 20" by 18" cut it should be.But on the plus side, if you're expecting mail from me. It should be coming soon!

25 May 2009

I made these beauties to bring along to work this morning for a team meeting. They've gone down a treat :)

Ingredients:

1 cup of plain flour1 cup of self raising flour1/2 cup caster sugar1/2 cup butter, cut into chunks1 egg, beatenwater as needed, probably no more than a tablespoon depending on the size of your egg1 can pie applecinnamon to taste

Method:

In a large mixing bowl combine both flours and sugar. Rub butter into the flour and sugar until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. Make sure there are no big lumps! Add the egg and mix thoroughly, if the dough comes together at this stage you don't need to add any water. If it's still crumbly add some water very slowly until it comes together in a ball. Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes.When the dough is ready very lightly flour your board and roll out to about 2mm thick and cut out circles. These can be any size that you want them really. I used a scotch glass for mine. Make sure that you cut out even numbers for the bases and the lids. Put your apples in a bowl and mash them roughly with the cinnamon. When all of your circles are ready place them on a oiled tray, you can put them close together because they don't spread. Spoon some apple into the centre of each circle. Make sure that it's not to much for the lid to cover. Brush water around the edge of the circles and put on the lids. Push down all around the edges to seal. Cook these at 180c for around 20 minutes, or until the pastry has gotten a little colour and hardened. Let them cool completely and ice them with your favourite icing. Yum!

I hope this made sense, I'm not really great at writing recipes. I'm also putting my pride aside and using a Mr.Linky, even though I'm not sure that anyone will be playing along! Happy recipe day everyone!

So, I opened a little Etsy store. At the moment it's just got some listings for different sized stamps. Striking while the iron is hot if you will! I'll just keep adding random things that I make from now on I think. Or nothing will come of it ever. Fun!